A businessman who stored over 60 boxes of fireworks illegally has been hit in the pocket to the tune of more than £1,000 by magistrates.

Trading standards officers say the case should serve as a warning to others in the run-up to Bonfire Night.

Burnley Magistrates Court heard that on November 5, 2015 Lancashire County Council (LCC) officers received a tip-off about fireworks being stored illegally in Church.

Upon entering the unit at C&C Distribution Limited on Technology Business Park, Duckworth Street, the officers found more than 60 transit boxes containing fireworks.

Around half of these boxes were on the ground floor close to the exit of the premises with the remaining boxes being stored in an upstairs room.

Some of the boxes were open with fireworks exposed, and other combustible materials were nearby. Two people were found working in the unit, close to the fireworks.

Fireworks being stored illegally at Unit 4 Technology Business ParK

Peter Jackson pleaded guilty to two offences under the Explosives Regulations 2014 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, on October 21.

Under these rules businesses storing fireworks must be licensed with their local authority so that checks can be made to ensure they are kept safely.

Jackson, 42, of Maple Street, Great Harwood, pleaded guilty at Burnley Magistrates Court to storing explosives without a licence and failing to take appropriate measures to prevent and limit the extent of fire or explosion.